Private reflux in babies clinic in London, same-day paediatrics.
Bringing up milk is normal in babies — the valve at the top of the stomach is immature, and around half of infants posset regularly. It becomes a medical problem only when it causes distress, poor weight gain or other complications, and the medicines commonly prescribed for it work far less often than people expect. Our private paediatrics clinic in East London offers same-day reflux in babies assessment with a private paediatrician, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is reflux in babies?
Bringing up milk is normal in babies — the valve at the top of the stomach is immature, and around half of infants posset regularly. It becomes a medical problem only when it causes distress, poor weight gain or other complications, and the medicines commonly prescribed for it work far less often than people expect.
- What reflux in babies is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding reflux in babies
Reflux in babies: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Seek same-day assessment if your baby has
- green or bile-stained vomit, or blood in the vomit
- forceful, projectile vomiting after most feeds, particularly at 2–8 weeks
- a swollen, tender abdomen, or blood in the stool
- poor weight gain, or weight loss
- arching, stiffening or blue episodes, or difficulty breathing during feeds
- vomiting starting after six months of age, or with fever or a bulging fontanelle
Green vomiting suggests obstruction and is always urgent. Projectile vomiting in a young baby, particularly a firstborn boy at three to six weeks, may indicate pyloric stenosis, which needs a scan and surgery. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
What is normal
- milk coming back after feeds, sometimes in surprising quantities
- starting in the first eight weeks, often several times a day
- a baby who is otherwise content, feeding well and gaining weight — the 'happy spitter'
- improving as the baby sits up and starts solids, and resolving in around 90% by 12 months
- It looks like a great deal more milk than it is — a tablespoon spreads alarmingly.
Reflux or something else?
Crying, arching and unsettled behaviour are frequently attributed to reflux and treated as such. In many babies the cause is feeding technique, overfeeding, wind, colic or cow's milk allergy rather than acid. A feeding assessment is more likely to help than a prescription. Genuine reflux disease causes distress with feeds, feed refusal, poor weight gain, or recurrent chest problems — not simply crying in the evenings.
What actually helps
- Review the feed. Overfeeding is common. If bottle feeding, check volume and teat flow; if breastfeeding, have the latch and positioning assessed.
- Smaller, more frequent feeds rather than large ones.
- Wind thoroughly during and after feeds.
- Keep upright for 20 to 30 minutes after a feed — held against your shoulder rather than in a car seat, which curls the abdomen and can make it worse.
- Avoid tight nappies and waistbands, and vigorous bouncing straight after a feed.
Always on the back to sleep
Whatever the reflux, babies must be placed flat on their back to sleep. Sleeping on the front or side, and raising the head of the cot, are not recommended — the evidence does not support them for reflux and they increase the risk of sudden infant death. Wedges, sleep positioners and anti-reflux pillows should not be used. This advice overrides any suggestion that propping helps.
Medication — and why it is used less than it was
- Alginate (Gaviscon Infant) may be tried for one to two weeks where a baby is distressed and simple measures have failed. It can cause constipation.
- Acid-suppressing medicines such as omeprazole are not recommended for reflux without complications. Trials show they are no better than placebo for crying and irritability in infants, and they are associated with increased rates of chest and gut infections and possibly allergy. They have a place in babies with proven oesophagitis or faltering growth — not in unsettled babies generally.
- Thickened formula may reduce visible vomiting in bottle-fed babies, though it does not always reduce discomfort.
- If cow's milk allergy is suspected, a proper trial of exclusion with reintroduction is more useful than acid treatment.
When to be seen
- poor weight gain, or crossing down growth centiles
- distress during or after most feeds, or refusing feeds
- recurrent chest infections, wheeze or persistent cough
- vomiting continuing beyond 12 months, or starting after six months
- if you are exhausted and not coping — that is a legitimate reason on its own
Paediatrics services we offer
Expert care under one roof
From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
Paediatrics
Consultant children's care.
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Same-day GP for children.
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Everything under one roof.
Children's Blood Tests
Numbing-cream phlebotomy.
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Growth & development review.
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Same-day GP to start your care.
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Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private paediatrician for reflux in babies in London
At our private paediatrics clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private paediatrician or reflux in babies doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant paediatrician will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about reflux in babies.
Local, private, fast
A private paediatrics clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private reflux in babies appointment with a paediatrician, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private paediatrics clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and paediatrics under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private paediatrician for reflux in babies — the same day.
Book a private reflux in babies assessment in East London: same-day appointments, paediatrician-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Reflux in babies in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private reflux in babies specialist near me in East London?
Our private paediatrics clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private paediatrician or reflux in babies doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private paediatrician for reflux in babies the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a paediatrician or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private reflux in babies appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the reflux in babies assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private paediatrician for reflux in babies?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a paediatrician, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private reflux in babies care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.